Track News: The Trumps burn up Daytona Speedway at 170mph

In a whirlwind of adrenaline and family banter, Kai Madison Trump, the 18-year-old granddaughter of President Donald Trump and an emerging golf sensation, swapped her clubs for a steering wheel at the iconic Daytona International Speedway on January 17, 2026.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Accompanied by her father, Donald Trump Jr., and younger sister Chloe, Kai’s surprise visit turned into a high-octane vlog adventure that blended terror, triumph, and a touch of Trump flair. As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series looms, this isn’t just another celebrity pit stop—it’s a nod to the family’s longstanding love affair with American motorsports, proving that speed runs in the blood.

The Trump clan’s NASCAR roots run deep. President Trump himself made history in 2020 as the Grand Marshal for the 62nd Daytona 500, arriving with First Lady Melania and even pacing the field in “The Beast.” He doubled down in 2025, declaring his excitement for the “Great American Race” and the start of the season. Now, it’s the next generation’s turn. Kai, known for her golf prowess and social media savvy (boasting over a million followers across platforms), documented the day on her YouTube channel, turning what could have been a private thrill ride into a viral spectacle viewed by thousands within hours.

The day kicked off with a quintessential road trip detour: a stop at Buc-ee’s for a chaotic taste test. Kai and her companions sampled everything from fudge and cookie dough to pulled pork and “meat on a stick,” with Kai admitting she felt “overstimulated” amid the flavors. But the real action awaited at Daytona, the 2.5-mile superspeedway where legends like Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty etched their names.

Kai, no stranger to competition on the greens, confessed her nerves upfront: “I’m scared. I have one speed animal… I love speed, don’t get me wrong, but you’re scared now.” Her dad, ever the instigator, teased her about her “speed demon” tendencies from ATV rides and skiing, reminding her of the family’s wild side: “You guys grew up on ATVs like animals. Your mom and I were in total panic.”

Strapped into the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro—a nod to the NASCAR Racing Experience program that lets civilians taste pro-level speeds—Kai felt the claustrophobia set in. “Locked in tightly with limited arm movement,” she described, as the 650-horsepower beast roared to life, weighing half as much as a standard car for maximum agility. With an instructor guiding via radio, Kai hit the track first among the group, pushing towards 170 mph.

The G-forces hit hard: “Oh my god,” she exclaimed mid-lap, later revealing, “I almost passed out that first G-force. It was scary. Very, very scary… That was insane.” The banking turns and proximity to the wall amplified the intensity, leaving her shaken but exhilarated.

Chloe followed suit, with Don Jr. riding shotgun for both, urging them to hug the wall for the optimal line—a move that horrified the sisters. When it was Don Jr.’s turn to drive, Kai couldn’t resist a jab: “A lot of regret in that face,” she quipped, later calling it his “midlife crisis” as he approached his 48th birthday. The adventure hit a humorous snag when the car sputtered out of fuel on track, requiring a tow van to haul it back—proving even Trumps aren’t immune to mechanical mishaps.

Social media buzzed with reactions, from fans praising Kai’s bravery to X users noting the “crossover we didn’t know we needed in 2026.” One post highlighted the raw thrill: “From the ‘meat on a stick’ taste test to almost passing out from the G-forces, this is as real as it gets.” Kai’s Instagram teaser, captioned “New video out now! This was such a cool experience. 🏎️🏁,” directed followers to the full vlog, tagging NASCAR and amplifying the family’s motorsport moment.

For Kai, who dreams of teeing off for the Miami Hurricanes in 2030, this Daytona detour was a bold pivot. “Nothing compared to that,” she reflected on the speeds dwarfing her everyday drives. In a family synonymous with headlines, this lap around Daytona adds a fresh chapter: one where golf meets gasoline, and fear fuels the fun. As the 2026 season revs up, who knows—maybe Kai’s just getting started in the fast lane.